Amazon Relay and Walmart power only loads

Retail drop-trailer freight in one paragraph

The biggest retailers ship enormous volume between suppliers, distribution centers and stores, and much of it moves in drop trailers: trailers staged at a dock, loaded on the retailer's schedule and hooked by whichever tractor shows up. Some retailers run their own fleets, some buy capacity from large contract carriers, and some book outside carriers directly. That last group, the power only shippers, is where power only carriers come in.

Amazon Relay power only

Amazon runs Relay as its own load board for approved carriers. Its June 2025 article on power only loads sums up the model: "You bring the truck, we provide the trailer." The trailer is preloaded and staged on site, the trailer and its cargo are managed by the shipper, and the driver connects and goes, typically without waiting for unloading at the other end either.

How loads are offered (per Amazon's pages):

• Load board. Filter power only loads by rate, mileage, cities and times, and book instantly.
• Post A Truck. Post your tractor's availability and minimum payout, and Relay can book matching loads automatically.
• Contracts. Full- and partial-week contracts with dedicated lanes, running from one week up to six months.

Amazon says it tenders loads directly to approved, onboarded carriers and does not tender loads through third-party load boards. Treat any post offering "Amazon Relay loads" on another board with suspicion.

Published requirements (checked October 2026):

Relay uses its own app for load updates. Amazon owner operator power only work means running under your own MC on Relay's terms; Amazon does not lease you on.

Walmart power only loads

Here is the honest answer for anyone searching Walmart power only loads: we could not find a public Walmart program page that books outside power only carriers (checked October 2026). Walmart runs its own private fleet and also uses contract carriers and brokers. Trade press has reported that Walmart's own carrier onboarding for spot freight asks carriers to bring their own trailers, which is the opposite of power only.

So where do "Walmart owner operator power only" loads come from? Mostly from:

• Brokers booking drop trailer lanes into or out of Walmart distribution centers, using a broker's or carrier's trailers.
• Large carriers' trailer-pool programs that serve retail customers, which approved outside tractors can book. See our guide to power only carrier programs.

The same applies to other large retailers. If a post offers retailer freight, check who the broker is and that its authority and bond are active before you hook.

Pros and cons of big-retail power only freight

How it fits with broker loads

Relay and other trailer-pool freight work best as part of a mix, not the whole week. A common pattern: use Relay contracts or loads for a steady base, then fill gaps and reposition with broker loads that pay better that day. The tricky part is timing. A Relay load and a broker load often compete for the same hours, and the right choice depends on where each one leaves you for the next trailer.

You can find broker power only freight on public boards (see power only load boards) and through brokers you are set up with. Trailer delivery moves, the other common kind of power only, are covered in tow away vs load out.

Before you book any of it, put the numbers in the power only load profit calculator. If you want a desk to watch your program accounts and broker freight together, that is what our power only truck dispatching does. We are not affiliated with Amazon, Walmart or any retailer,; you keep your own Relay account and approval. The freight types we book are on the power only loads page.